Diabetes Technology Highlights from ATTD 2025
A mix of helpful diabetes technology you can use now and cutting edge advances on the horizon were on display at the 2025 ATTD conference in Amsterdam. Researchers presented a vision of the near-future of diabetes management where the heavy lifting of blood sugar management is handled through computing power, reducing time spent thinking about the disease, while producing continual improvements in time in range.
The diaTribe team spent four days reporting on the conference and collected these snapshots of some of the most interesting and useful developments presented in the Netherlands.
Control-IQ+ rolls out for type 1 and type 2 AID users
Tandem recently launched its next-generation algorithm, Control-IQ+, for people ages 2 and older with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes. Control-IQ+ works with both the Tandem Mobi and t:slim X2 pumps; existing users can now upgrade their AID systems on Tandem’s website here.
At ATTD 2025, Tandem released results of a new study that showed people with type 2 diabetes using Control-IQ+ tech saw average time in range increase by 24% (from 48% to 64%) and A1C level drop by 0.9% (from 8.2% to 7.3%) in 13 weeks.
15-Day CGM is Dexcom's most accurate
Dexcom's longer-lasting CGM sensor looks promising, based on study results presented at the conference. The trial showed that the new 15-day G7 system is slightly more accurate than the current G7.
The accuracy of CGM can be measured using MARD (mean absolute relative difference), which shows the average amount a CGM sensor varies from your actual glucose levels (a lower number is better).
The 15-day G7 has a MARD value of 8.0%, about the same as the Abbott Freestyle Libre 3. The Dexcom G7 15 Day is awaiting FDA approval and is not yet available in the U.S.
From injections to Omnipod 5
Most people with type 1 diabetes don't use AID systems, for a range of reasons, including personal preference, access issues, and expense. But those who adopt the technology often see significant benefits.
A study of 188 people, ranging in age from 4 to 70, considered how people with type 1, who use CGM and multiple daily injections but were unable to meet their blood sugar targets, would do after transitioning to the Omnipod 5 hybrid closed-loop system.
The study showed an improvement in A1C of 8.1% to 7.2% in about three months. Participants also saw a significant boost in time in range from about 40% to 65%. Those who switched to the AID system spent about five more hours in range without experiencing more hypoglycemia.
Driving safely with diabetes
Driving with diabetes can present challenges, especially when experiencing low blood sugar. And it can be difficult to identify blood sugar levels when driving in a way that won't cause distraction from the road.
To help keep drivers safe, Dr. Viral Shah, an endocrinologist at the Indiana University School of Medicine, is working with a team to develop a hands-free app meant to prevent hypoglycemia-related accidents. The app, Diabetes Driving Pal, introduced at the conference, is designed to provide real-time glucose monitoring and customized voice-based safety alerts to assist drivers. The app could also offer recommendations when blood sugar is predicted to go low. In one example, Shah said the system could alert a driver of a nearby coffee shop and suggest pulling in for some fast-acting sugar.
Advanced closed loop system helps reduce hypos
Research at ATTD reported results from tests of an advanced artificial pancreas system that could one day greatly improve blood sugar control. The Inreda bihormonal artificial pancreas delivers both insulin and glucagon to reduce instances of high and low blood sugar. The fully closed loop system requires no input from the user, as is needed in hybrid-closed loop systems. Instead, insulin is delivered when blood sugar rises, and glucagon when blood sugar falls, based on readings from a CGM sensor.
A one-year study in the Netherlands focused on hypoglycemia in 24 participants using the dual-hormone AID system. Average time in range was about 80% compared to 60% in regular pump therapy. Time below range was cut in about half, from about 3% in regular pump therapy. The duration of the low blood sugar events and the lowest blood sugar reading were also reduced in the dual-hormone system.
Another session looked at user satisfaction with the system. Most participants gave a high rating for usability, somewhat surprising because the device requires two CGM sensors and two infusion sets.
It's unclear yet whether dual-hormone systems are the future of AID use, or if most users will find hybrid-closed loop systems handle the job sufficiently, especially as they continue to advance. But a dual-hormone system addresses the main limitation of current closed loop systems, which can only reduce insulin delivery to prevent low blood sugar, but not correct it.
Giving AID systems more brain power
Researchers discussed results from tests of an advanced AID system that incorporates neural network technology, a form of machine learning. Neural networks are modeled on the human brain and can handle large amounts of data simultaneously.
A neural network, fully closed loop system called AIDANET, developed at the University of Virginia, was tested to see how effectively it controlled blood sugar with no user input.
Dr. Laya Ekhlaspour, pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco, presented results from the FCL@Home study, which showed the system was effective at increasing time in range without affecting time below range. UVA's Dr. Boris Kovatchev discussed how these systems, which incorporate artificial intelligence, can adjust to account for metabolic changes that are difficult for a person with diabetes to identify and correct.
In the near-future, these systems could reduce the amount of time people with diabetes spend time interacting with and changing settings on their AID system, while seeing excellent results that get better over time.